We've come a long way in 75 years! Watch the video to see our journey.

75 years ago we cut the cord. When Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan invented the Aqua Lung, the history of dive was forever changed. The Aqua Lung had a profound effect on our planet, and became one of the most important inventions of our time by unlocking 70% of our globe. This single piece of equipment launched decades of innovation, and empowered discovery by making the underwater world more accessible for recreation, research, and revelations. We began to stay longer, dive deeper, explore further, and stay warmer. Inventing the sport of what we now know as Scuba diving, Cousteau and Gagnan became the pioneers of an aquatic revolution.

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For 75 years we’ve been contributing to unprecedented exploration of the ocean, setting industry standards with equipment we use ourselves - we build it, share it, and live the history of the very products we are creating. From research and development to present day innovations extending our knowledge of dive, our past has truly shaped our future. And as others begin to look elsewhere to unearth the unknown beyond our planet, we will continue to push limits in our own undersea frontiers, for years to come.

At Aqua Lung, we don’t just create the path. We lead the way.

Aqua Lung Global Conservation Partners

In addition to its global conservation partners, Aqua Lung is committed to making a difference in our local communities. Each Aqua Lung office around the world host in conservation and education efforts such as beach clean ups and empowering local ambassadors who are making a difference in their communities.

To learn more about how you can get involved visit one of our global conservation partners.

EarthEcho International is a nonprofit organization founded on the belief that youth have the power to change our planet. Established by siblings Philippe and Alexandra Cousteau in honor of their father Philippe Cousteau Sr., and grandfather legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, our mission is to inspire young people worldwide to act now for a sustainable future.

Aqua Lung is proud to partner with the Sea Of Change Foundation, an organization dedicated to marine conservation around the globe. A portion of the proceeds from Aqua Lungs BCs will be donated to Sea of Change with 100% of the money going directly to marine education and conservation.

Coral Guardian is a French non-profit dedicated to the conservation of coral ecosystems, raising awareness, scientific research and the enhancement of marine ecosystems. Coral Guardian aims to promote innovative approaches to marine conservation and encourage sustainable development models by deploying multiple angles of action.

Our Story

1943

French naval officer Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Air Liquide engineer Emile Gagnan develop an autonomous diving system with a demand regulator, the scaphandre autonome. It would soon be called "Aqua-Lung," after Cousteau coined the word for English-speaking countries.

1943

The Cousteau-Gagnan demand regulator patent application is filed.

1945

The CG-45 regulator with the round housing goes into production. The name is shorthand for Cousteau- Gagnan and the year.

1946

Air Liquide, French producer of industrial gases, establishes La Spirotechnique. The principle executives are Jacques Cousteau, Emile Gagnan and Jean Delorme, managing director of Air Liquide. This marks the beginning of modern diving.

1948

The Cousteau-Gagnan regulator patent is awarded.

1950

Distribution of the CG-45 regulator expands to Great Britain, Canada and the United States. Rene Bussoz of Rene Sports in Los Angeles, California, becomes the exclusive retailer in the U.S. and creates U.S. Divers to manage his exclusive license.

1950

La Spirotechnique launches the Constant Volume Suit, (originally perfected by Cousteau in 1946) the ease of adding and dumping air makes it the first modern drysuit.

1955

The Mistral, the first regulator with a single stage to regulate compressed air directly from high pressure in the cylinder to ambient pressure for breathing, supplements the CG-45 regulator, furthering the popularity of recreational diving.

1956

The Silent World (La Monde Du Silence) created by Jacques Cousteau and Louis Malle thrills audiences worldwide with undersea images in color on the big screen, helping to ignite a passion for diving. The film wins a Palme d'Or at Cannes and an Oscar in Hollywood.

1956

Air Liquide acquires U.S. Divers, marking the beginning of the company's international expansion leading to offices in multiple countries including Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and Australia.

1957

The SS 40, a pneumatic horse-collar flotation device, is designed for shallow water diving down to 40 meters.

1957

The Aqua-matic single-hose regulator is released and becomes the first internationally successful single-hose regulator.

1958

Jacques Cousteau and Luigi Ferraro participate in the founding of CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques), the World Underwater Federation, dedicated to organizing international underwater events and advancing technical and scientific research and development. It is one of the oldest and most extensive dive-training curriculums today.

1958

U.S. Divers combines the Venturi mechanism of the Mistral with the performance advantages of the 2 stage CG-45 creating the Aqua-Master, the bestselling 2-hose regulator of all time.

1961

1961

The Calypso becomes the first regulator with a balanced first stage and is sold in Europe as the Aquilon.

1962

La Spirotechnique introduces the Royal Mistral regulator, an updated version of its namesake.

1963

La Spiro joins up with Technisub, an Italian manufacturer founded by Luigi Ferraro specializing in rubber and plastic molding, to manufacture fins, masks, and snorkels. They collaborate on La Caravelle, a revolutionary fin with a detachable blade

1965

U.S. Divers introduces the Royal Mistral, a balanced single stage design differentiates itself from its French and US counterparts and is the final single stage regulator design used.

1965

U.S. Divers introduces the Conshelf IV regulator based on the balanced first stage design of the 2-hose Royal Master. This model is the foundation for all Aqua Lung regulators moving forward.

1972

A masterpiece of miniaturization is launched with the release of the Alizé single-hose regulator.

1975

Technisub introduces the RAID tank system, with its futuristic features like a dual isolation manifold, innovative reserve mechanism, and streamlined housing; it is used extensively by the Cousteau teams for the next decade.

1976

La Spirotechnique acquires Fenzy, manufacturer of the modern buoyancy device and historical partner of the French Navy.

1976

La Spirotechnique moves from Crépy-en-Valois to Carros, Provence, in the south of France.

1979

1984

1984

U.S. Divers develops an experimental tank system for the Cousteau teams utilizing 4 ultra-compact, lightweight rotationally molded titanium cylinders. The set contains the same amount of air as two aluminum 80's and weighs only 45lbs.

1985

U.S. President Ronald Reagan awards Cousteau with the Medal of Freedom recognizing his achievements in raising awareness on the irreversible effects of environmental destruction.

1985

Spearfishing champion Valerio Grassi of Italy founds Omersub.

1987

U.S. Divers enters the sporting goods retail segment with the launch of its snorkeling products.

1997

1998

Consolidation of brands under the one Aqua Lung brand name, combines Spirotechnique, U.S. Divers, SeaQuest, Deep See and Technisub. The black-and-yellow individual Aqua Lung logos are replaced by today's blue wave.

1998

Aqua Sphere launches as the premier swim brand for fitness swimmers with with the cutting edge Seal mask. The world's first swim mask, the Seal is created using the same expertise and technology that is used in producing Aqua Lung diving gear and is an innovative game-changer in the swim industry.

1998

Aqua Lung releases the Titan, the new brand's first regulator that combines designs from two bestselling regulators: the La Spiro Spirotechnique Supra and the U.S. Divers Conshelf.

2000

Aqua Lung adopts the brand tagline, "First to Dive."

2002

Aqua Lung develops the Mentor 2-hose regulator in partnership with the US NAVY, its design is the last direct descendent of the original CG-45.

2002

The Legend regulator instantly becomes a bestseller at its launch. It is upgraded in 2006 with a patented Automatic Closure Device that keeps water and contaminants from entering the first stage.

2004

Acquisition of Stohlquist WaterWare, leading player in the paddling segment, specializing in Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs).

2009

Aqua Lung launches its Travel Line, a full range of specialized travel products, featuring the Mikron, the smallest regulator on the market at the time, the Zuma BC, and HotShot Fins.

2010

Acquisition of Whites Manufacturing, the Canadian developer and producer of drywear. The name is integrated under the Aqua Lung brand in 2015.

2013

Acquisition of Omersub, the leading manufacturer in the freediving and spearfishing markets.

2013

Aqua Lung's Details collection is released; it is the first complete line of women's dive products designed by women for women.

2014

Aqua Lung partners with Michael Phelps, the world's most decorated Olympian of all time, and his coach Bob Bowman, to launch the MP brand of elite competitive swim equipment in 2015.

2015

Acquisition of Pelagic Pressure Systems, a specialist in the design and manufacture of innovative dive instruments and computers.

2016

Along with the newly acquired Pelagic Pressure Systems, Aqua Lung releases its new line of dive instrumentation

2018

Aqua Lung celebrates 75 years of discovery with the 75th Anniversary of the Aqua-Lung.